MediaCom is expanding its operations in the Middle East and North Africa with the opening of two new offices in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
The new Qatar office will open in January next year and follows significant new business wins in the country. Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi operation will be based in twofour54 and will service the group’s Abu Dhabi-based clients, including Etihad Airways and the Central Bank of the UAE.
MediaCom and LBi won Etihad’s global media accounts in February this year following a multi-agency review. MediaCom is now responsible for the airline’s above-the-line media planning and buying, while LBi handles digital media strategy, search and affiliate marketing. M&C Saatchi, which won Etihad’s creative advertising account at roughly the same time, has already established an office in the UAE capital.
MediaCom’s expansion is accompanied by several new senior hires, including Nicolas Roux, regional head of new business, and Dan Chapman, who became the agency’s first ever regional head of digital in May. Roux joins from the Publicis Groupe, where he was regional communication director at Leo Burnett. He has more than 12 years’ experience in the region, having worked with international and regional clients such as P&G, Mars, Bel Cheese and the Jumeirah Group.
Nick Barron, CEO of MediaCom MENA, said: “Dan and Nicolas are two great additions to the team and expanding our footprint in the region has been a strategic goal for the business. With new business gains this will continue into next year particularly as we grow our content, digital and business science divisions.”
MediaCom is a member of WPP and is part of GroupM, WPP’s consolidated media investment management arm.